What Archaeological Sites Used To Actually Look Like

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Earth's history spans billions of years, with archaeological sites like Machu Picchu offering insights into lost civilizations and their rise and fall. Various historical sites worldwide, from the Great Pyramid of Giza to Rathcroghan in Ireland, showcase ancient civilizations' architectural wonders and cultural practices.

Insights

  • Machu Picchu, discovered in 1911, was built high up by the Incans for defense, leading to its abandonment due to a smallpox epidemic, showcasing the impact of historical events on civilizations and their architectural legacies.
  • The Rathcroghan mound in Ireland, once a ceremonial temple for ancient Celtic pagans, highlights the complexity of historical sites, evolving from a fort-like appearance to reveal intricate structures used for rituals and human sacrifices, emphasizing the layers of history embedded in archaeological sites.

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Recent questions

  • What is Machu Picchu and why was it abandoned?

    Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel in Peru discovered in 1911. It was built high up for defense but abandoned after a smallpox epidemic.

  • How was the Great Pyramid of Giza constructed?

    The Great Pyramid of Giza, built around 4,500 years ago, used thousands of tons of granite, mortar, and limestone through a complex process involving wedges and pulleys.

  • What happened to the Colossus of Rhodes?

    The Colossus of Rhodes, a 105-foot bronze statue, stood for 54 years before being destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC.

  • What is the significance of Hadrian's Wall in England?

    Hadrian's Wall, built in 122 AD, stretched 73 miles with milecastles and forts to separate the Roman Empire from barbarians.

  • What is the current state of Pompeii after Mount Vesuvius' eruption?

    Mount Vesuvius' eruption in 79 AD preserved Pompeii remarkably well, showcasing its streets, buildings, and even a street food stall.

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Summary

00:00

Ancient civilizations and lost wonders revealed

  • Earth's history spans 4.5 billion years, witnessing the rise and fall of civilizations and geological changes.
  • Archaeological sites worldwide hold remnants of lost civilizations, offering glimpses into their past glory.
  • Machu Picchu, an Incan citadel in Peru, was discovered in 1911, overgrown and barely recognizable.
  • The Incans built Machu Picchu high up for defense, leading to its abandonment and overgrowth after a smallpox epidemic.
  • The citadel was painstakingly cleared of foliage by Hiram Bingham and his team, revealing its sprawling layout.
  • The Incans' building techniques, lacking cement, allowed tree roots to penetrate the ruins, challenging restoration efforts.
  • The Colossus of Rhodes, a 105-foot bronze statue, stood for 54 years before being destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC.
  • The iconic image of the Colossus straddling the harbor is a later invention, as the statue was far shorter than depicted.
  • Mount Vesuvius' eruption in 79 AD preserved Pompeii remarkably well, showcasing its streets, buildings, and even a street food stall.
  • Hadrian's Wall in England, built in 122 AD, stretched 73 miles with milecastles and forts to separate the Roman Empire from barbarians.

14:23

Ancient Sites: Histories of Forgotten Civilizations

  • Old Sarum, an iron age hill-fort dating back to 400 BC, was initially built by British tribespeople, later occupied by Romans, then Anglo-Saxons, and finally Normans who made significant changes, including the construction of a motte.
  • The site reached its peak around 1100 with a cathedral and literate clerks, but due to conflicts, the cathedral was relocated to Salisbury, leading to a decline in royal interest and population until its abandonment in 1832.
  • The Great Pyramid of Giza, built around 4,500 years ago as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu, was originally smooth and shiny due to a layer of limestone and gold tip, constructed using thousands of tons of granite, mortar, and limestone through a complex process involving wedges and pulleys.
  • Ctesiphon, once a grand city in Persia, was founded in the 2nd century BC, boasting an extravagant palace with marble and jewel-adorned carpets, but fell to Muslim Arab forces in 637 AD who looted and destroyed the city, except for the Taq Kasra arch.
  • The Roman Colosseum, commissioned by Emperor Vespasian and opened in 80 AD, hosted brutal fights to the death, seating spectators based on social class, flourishing for four centuries before neglect and abandonment after the 6th century AD.
  • Tikal, an ancient Mayan city in Guatemala, features Tikal Temple Two, a mausoleum for Lady Kalajuun Unen' Mo', with vibrant red coloring and intricate carvings that have faded over time, remaining a popular tourist site.
  • Rathcroghan in Ireland, a mystical land with 240 archaeological sites, includes a significant mound that was once a ceremonial temple for ancient Celtic pagans, possibly used for rituals, prophecies, offerings, and even human sacrifices.
  • The Rathcroghan mound, initially resembling a fort, was later discovered to have housed wooden ramparts and ceremonial henges, serving as a site for various ancient Celtic pagan practices, despite its innocent appearance today.
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